Key Facts
• Sales of prison work products rose for the fourth consecutive fiscal year as of January 4, 2026.
• Sales dropped to about 369 million yen in FY2020 due to COVID-19 but recovered to approximately 812 million yen in FY2024.
• Sales figures: FY2021 – 506 million yen, FY2022 – 599 million yen, FY2023 – 756 million yen.
• Prison work aims to develop discipline and concentration through woodworking, sewing, and traditional crafts.
• Since June 2025, prison labor is no longer mandatory but remains central to rehabilitation.
• Products are sold under the brand “CAPIC” via prison stores and online.
• Collaboration with local designers, such as Fukuoka Prison’s women’s leather goods, has been well received.
• Sales are approaching pre-pandemic peak levels exceeding 900 million yen.
Summary
Sales of prison work products in Japan have steadily increased over four years, recovering from a pandemic-induced low in FY2020. The FY2024 sales reached about 812 million yen, supported by price revisions and effective social media promotion targeting younger consumers. Prison labor, designed to foster discipline and focus through diverse crafts, remains a key rehabilitation tool despite becoming voluntary in mid-2025. The “CAPIC” brand offers these products through physical and online outlets. Partnerships with local designers, such as those at Fukuoka Prison producing women’s leather items, have enhanced product appeal. Overall, sales are nearing pre-COVID levels, reflecting growing public acceptance and market penetration.
